FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 23, 2012
MEDIA CONTACTS: Collin Nash & Sid Nathan | (516) 869-7794
Town Accepts Monetary Gift for Proposed Development of Port Washington Asian Garden
North Hempstead, NY– Commending a group of Port Washington preservationists for its leadership in restoring parks throughout the community, Supervisor Jon Kaiman and the North Hempstead Town Board passed a resolution at the January 8 meeting to accept a gift of $3,500 from the Port Washington Parks Conservancy to help pay for the creation of an Asian garden in Blumenfeld Family Park.
Capturing trademark plantings and Asian theme, the garden will entice guests to stroll through its meandering paths and over its quaint bridges. Commissioned by the Parks Conservancy in partnership with the Town, the garden will also feature a usable tea house.
“The addition of another star to Port Washington’s constellation of parks will help shed light on North Hempstead’s growing diversity,” Supervisor Kaiman said.
The Port Washington Parks Conservancy (PWPC) was founded by concerned citizens of Port Washington. The not-for-profit group secured nearly $1 million in funding from Nassau County Environmental Bond Act, NY State Environmental Protection Fund, the Town of North Hempstead and private donations to complete the restoration of Stannards Brook Park.
The Parks Conservancy hosted a grand opening celebration last May showcasing the newly restored park boasting three newly-constructed foot bridges, beautiful Adirondack style entrance ways, benches, and masses of new native plantings alongside the brook and pathways.
Funding for the Asian garden will include Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) grants but will mostly come from private sector financing, Conservancy officials said.
“It’s an opportunity for the town to partner with a private group to beautify its parks and to create a garden that celebrates the cultural diversity of North Hempstead and recognizes the growing Asian population in North Hempstead and particularly in Port Washington,” said Councilwoman Dina De Giorgio.
